Project assistance completion report : 515-0269, rural infrastructure restoration and 907-1048, international disaster assistance

The International Disaster Assistance Project (9071048) addressed the country"s most urgent infrastructure concerns. The Rural Infrastructure Restoration Project (5150269) addressed longer-term restoration of bridges and roads bypassed by the immediate restoration. Both projects were implemented by the U.S. Army Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The projects achieved their desired results of restoring vital infrastructure, and this contributing to Costa Rica"s economic recovery. Cooperation between the Ministry of Public Works, the Railroad Institution, the Aeronautics Administration, local contractors, A.I.D., the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and Embassy personnel was outstanding. The projects restored the Limon airport and 2 railroad bridges, constructed 4 temporary bridges, reconstructed 5 highway bridges, and restored roughly 40 km of highway from Limon to La Estrella. Contingency funds were used in part to mitigate the effects of two major floods (8/91 and 5/92).